Key points
- Australian and British physicists have manipulated quantum uncertainty to surpass the limitations of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
- This breakthrough enables the simultaneous and precise measurement of a particle’s position and momentum.
- The technique involves shifting quantum uncertainty to less critical areas, improving accuracy in desired measurements.
- The research utilizes a novel sensing protocol, initially developed for quantum computing, tested using a trapped ion.
Researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Bristol have achieved a significant breakthrough in quantum mechanics, sidestepping a fundamental limitation imposed by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. This principle, established in 1927, dictates that there’s an inherent trade-off between the precision with which certain pairs of properties, such as a particle’s position and momentum, can be measured simultaneously.
However, the team, led by Dr. Tingrei Tan, has developed a method to manipulate this uncertainty, enabling the concurrent measurement of both properties with greater precision. The research was published in Science Advances.
The researchers explain their technique using the analogy of a balloon: while you can’t eliminate the air (uncertainty), you can redistribute it, concentrating precision where it matters most. Similarly, they strategically shift the inherent quantum uncertainty to less significant areas, allowing for exceptionally fine measurements of the target properties.
Another analogy employed is that of a clock with only one hand; sacrificing global information (hour/minute hand) gains far greater detail in the information you focus on. This ‘modular’ approach allows for the simultaneous measurement of both position and momentum with unprecedented accuracy.
This innovative sensing protocol, first theorized in 2017, has now been experimentally demonstrated. The team utilized a trapped ion, its vibrational motion serving as the quantum equivalent of a pendulum, and employed ‘grid states’ – quantum states initially designed for error-corrected quantum computers.
By harnessing this approach, they achieved measurements exceeding the ‘standard quantum limit,’ surpassing the capabilities of classical sensors. Crucially, this achievement works entirely within the framework of quantum mechanics; it doesn’t violate Heisenberg’s principle but rather optimizes it for specific applications.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. The ability to detect extremely small changes opens doors to numerous advancements across various scientific fields.
Ultra-precise quantum sensors enabled by this breakthrough could dramatically improve navigation systems, particularly in challenging environments such as submarines or space, enhance biological and medical imaging capabilities, provide more detailed insights into materials and gravitational systems, and even facilitate explorations into fundamental physics.
While still in its experimental stage, this work establishes a promising new framework for future sensing technologies, offering a powerful complementary tool to existing quantum sensing methods.
